Champions League: 2011-12 review in numbers

Chelsea's Champions League triumph will never be forgotten. History was made in the Allianz Arena on Saturday night as interim manager Roberto Di Matteo orchestrated one of the most unlikely victories in recent European history, as the Blues ran out penalty shoot-out winners against Bayern Munich in Germany.

In doing so, the Premier League outfit became the first London club to lift the most coveted trophy in all of Europe, ending years of painful memories, the tears in Moscow against Manchester United in 2008, and Luis Garcia's Liverpool goal that never was in the semi-final at Anfield in 2005.

It is an achievement that is up there with the very best a team from this country has ever produced, particularly when you consider Chelsea's journey to the final. Time and time again, they defied the odds, with resolute defensive displays and their 'never say die' attitude, coming to the fore against Barcelona in Camp Nou in the semi-final second leg.

Last weekend's showpiece final brought to an end another encapsulating campaign in Europe's elite club competition - a tournament that delivered no shortage of shocks, or new records broken.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score five goals in a single Champions League game, in the crushing 7-1 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen, while APOEL caused a stir when they became the first Cypriot side to progress past the group stages.

After winning their group they beat Lyon in the last-16 to set up a tantalising quarter-final clash against European heavyweights Real Madrid - a match they lost 8-2 on aggregate.

At the end of another long and gruelling campaign, GiveMeFootball brings you its Champions League season review in numbers....

0

Three clubs failed to earn a single point in the Champions League group stages this year. Villarreal, FC Otelul Galati and Dinamo Zagreb all finished rock-bottom of their respective groups.

4

Every time Munich has hosted the European Cup final it has produced a new name on the trophy. Chelsea are the first new winners since Borussia Dortmund 15 years ago, becoming the 22nd overall, and following Nottingham Forest (1979) and Olympique Marseille (1993)

7

Lyon forward Bafetimbi Gomis took just seven minutes to net a hat-trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Ligue 1 side's 7-1 group stage thrashing of the Croatian outfit.

In doing so, the Frenchman broke Mike Newell's 16-year record for the fastest ever treble. After adding his fourth in the 70th minute, Gomis became only the seventh player ever to score four goals in a Champions League game.

14

Lionel Messi is the first player to top the Champions League scoring charts in four successive European Cup campaigns. The Barcelona star's return of 14 goals also equalled the single season record held by AC Milan's Jose Altafini in 1962-63.

16

Ryan Giggs broke the record as the oldest ever Champions League goalscorer at the age of 37 years and 289 days when he netted against Benfica in the group stages this season.

The Manchester United veteran also became the first player to score in 16 different Champions League campaigns.

20

Barcelona netted 20 goals in six games during the group stages of this year's competition, matching the record set by Manchester United during the Premier League club's Champions League winning campaign in 1998-99.

22

As well as failing to win a single point, Dinamo Zagreb also conceded a competition record 22 goals during the group stages this year - more than any other team in Champions League history.

23

Upon reaching the Champions League last-four this year, where they were knocked out on penalties by Bayern Munich, Real Madrid broke the record for the number of semi-final appearances.

Bayern were the first team to play a European Cup final in their home stadium for 28 years. AS Roma were the last team to do so back in 1984, and they were also beaten on penalties by an English team, losing to Liverpool at the Stadio Olimpico.

And finally.....

35

This year's losing finalists attempted 35 shots in the first 90 minutes - more than any other team in a Champions League game in 2011-12. Arjen Robben had 15 attempts alone, also more than any other player in any fixture this season.

So, there you have it! The best team may not have won Europe's elite club competition this year, but football fans across the continent can sleep easy in the knowledge that it all kicks off again in August, as qualified teams prepare to do battle in pursuit of the holy Champions League grail...

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